Would this be unfair to the bird?

[Chico's Mom]

Having Grey fever for a while, and (besides money lol) the main thing keeping me fro buying a gray is my age. And the fact that I work all day.

So...If I was of an age, when I retire, that I may only be really active for 10 or so years, would it be unfair to a GAG? I have a coworker with a CAG who said that she'd take it if I became unable to take care of it, and I would put that in a written agreement if it ever came to the point that I could actually get one.

What do you think? 10 years with me and then having to get acclimated to another family?

This is really not going to happen, if it does, for a number of years, but just wondered what you thought. I somehow don't feel right about it even though I'd love one.

[Greycloud]

I say go for it! Birds are great company and you can both make eachother happy. Definitely consider rehoming or adopting. My gray is 7 yrs old. The owner bought him as a 9 month old. Sadly the man developed pancreatic cancer and passed away. The family sought me out through friends and I have had Dexter for 4 yrs now. He is just wonderful. I think it is great that you are making arrangements for the birds future. I think you would be a great parront!

[LovelySydney]

I also think you can do it. While 10 years may seem like a short time for birds (since they can live so long) I think the fact that you are planning on where he will go AFTER you is a good thing. & I am confident you would be able to find him a wonderful home if and when you are no longer able to take care of him. I know it doesnt seem right to "only" have him for 10 years - but thats still a long time!!! 10 years of happiness for both of you is a wonderful thing = )

[Angelsmum]

Me being 53 is one of the main reasons I do not have a macaw. That and the fact that I am lazy and do have a few health problems. I would not leave the bird to my son as he would have my two tiels in the event of my incapacitation or death and a macaw would impact far too much on his life.

That being said, my situation is not yours. Weigh everything up, DO make provision in advance should illness etc occur and GO FOR IT if it all fits together. hugs.

Age also brings inattention, lol. I see you have a friend who will. Do you know what her provisions for the bird would be if she was in the same age bracket?

[shellbeme]

I don't think there is a right or wrong answer. I'm 31 and I'm already thinking about the fact that if I get another baby grey, it may outlive me, and there is the responsiblity of finding somewhere for it to be once I'm gone. Rehoming could be an answer, but its still likely that you'll be faced with having to rehome it again after you can no longer care for it or you pass away. I don't think it's one of those things anyone can tell you yes or no on, you just have to go with your heart on it.

[pippy]

Do consider an older Grey (see shellbeme's thread where it's mentioned not all older birds have 'issues', many are just in need of a new home due to their owners passing away, becoming ill etc).

Not everyone's idea of fun I know but I am soooo glad I took Henry (aged 45) in a few months after buying my two young Greys. He's an absolutely delightful bird and the best thing is he's way past that hormonal stage the two youngsters are yet to go through!

I would be more concerned at the fact you work all day.

Many will disagree with me on this but I believe it's simply wrong to bring a flock creature into your home then deny it the company of either another bird or a human all day.

Whichever way you look at it you are denying that bird one of it's greatest needs, flock interaction.

A radio or tv are not a substitute for living, breathing company and often the time most owners can be with their bird is when the bird should be going to sleep.

This is why I bought two.

[chinniechantel]

I agree with Pippy that you should get an older rescue bird. That would be really great for you and the bird. I think most birds will outlive their owners, so go for it! I am only 26 and my cockatoos will still probably out live me! I hope they do anyway :-)

[ThreeX]

Add another vote for getting two. And for the same reason(s)

[mommaof3]

Pippy~ You got both your youngsters from the same breeder at the same time? My husband and I have been considering that because we both will be working when we get our birds. And sometimes have even thought about getting three. Of course adding the third one at a later date and time. Just wanted to see if someone else had done the same thing we were thinking about doing. Then we were wondering about the whole quarantine thing when you get two birds from the same clutch, is it necessary to quarantine them? These are the things we are unsure about. We still have like three years (he says four but I always win) to work out the details but we are trying to educate ourselves as much as we possibly can before hand. We know that experience wont come until we actually get out birds but we figured it was better to be prepared and know about the species we are getting before we get them.

[pippy]

Originally Posted by mommaof3

Pippy~ You got both your youngsters from the same breeder at the same time? My husband and I have been considering that because we both will be working when we get our birds. And sometimes have even thought about getting three. Of course adding the third one at a later date and time. Just wanted to see if someone else had done the same thing we were thinking about doing. Then we were wondering about the whole quarantine thing when you get two birds from the same clutch, is it necessary to quarantine them? These are the things we are unsure about. We still have like three years (he says four but I always win) to work out the details but we are trying to educate ourselves as much as we possibly can before hand. We know that experience wont come until we actually get out birds but we figured it was better to be prepared and know about the species we are getting before we get them.

Yes, they are from the same breeder, same clutch

Do you mean do they need to be quarantined from each other? If they are from the same breeder and clutch then no. Many UK breeders now allow the parent birds to raise the chicks until they're six weeks old then bring them in and hand rear them. Some still hand rear from the egg using a brooder.

Either way, the birds will have been together from the word go so no, no quarantine is needed

Ideally you want same-sex birds. Mojo and Shinda are brother and sister. It wasn't planned that way and is a bit of a long story how I came to have them both but two of the same sex would have been a better option.

I've taken advice from many people ranging from an avian vet to experienced breeders and most say that so long as I don't provide them with a nest box, or anything resembling a nest box (so the Chubes they have in their cage may have to go once they reach sexual maturity at about five years of age) that it's unlikely they will lay.

I've also taken advice as to what to do if Mojo does lay, I absolutely won't allow any eggs to hatch!

So yes, a pair of DNA tested same-sex Greys from the same clutch is the absolute ideal situation!